Features
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Japanese Street Scramblers: Kawasaki W series
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Kawasaki’s 1960s foray into four-stroke street scramblers produced just one model, but, as Steve Cooper explains, it was definitely a machine with merits. Kawasaki’s W series parallel twins stem from the Meguro Company that had produced similar 500s from the early 1950s. Towards the end of the decade a power unit very reminiscent of that…
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Swan Motor Manufacturing
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The Swan Motor Manufacturing began life in Frodsham High Street in Cheshire in around 1910 and exhibited its first motorcycle at the Olympia Show in 1911. This was an open-frame machine with, unusually for the time, front and rear suspension. The founder of the company was FH Thornton who lived in a large house opposite…
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Ural gonna like this!
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Mick Payne takes a look at a recent build from F2 Motorcycles which marries a Royal Enfield with a Ural sidecar. [STANDFIRST] David Angel of F2 Motorcycles is perhaps best known as the importer of Velorex sidecars, but there are a large number of enthusiasts for whom he is the ‘go-to’ source for all things…
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Pete Sylvester – 44 Reliants!
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Brian Crichton meets a man with a passion for Reliant’s three-wheelers. [STANDFIRST] Pete Sylvester, now 81, has never had a car licence, having relied instead upon on a motorcycle licence since he was 16, back in 1960, which allows him to ride and drive three-wheelers as well as bikes. In 1967 he bought a Reliant…
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An early Triumph
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Though the firm missed out on success in the inaugural 1907 Isle of Man TT, it took top honours in the 1908 event, courtesy of the man and mount pictured here. Words: SIMON ROBINSON In this wonderful photograph, we see works rider Jack Marshall astride his Triumph 3½hp single in racing trim. The 1908 running…
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Looking to Japan – YOUR PERFECT FIRST CLASSIC?
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It’s easy to justify Japanese if coming from a modern bike, Matt Hull explains… THE BEST ANSWERS IN LIFE ARE most often a compromise. But if you fancy looking at buying your first classic bike, looking to the far east is a pretty good solution to avoid pitfalls. Buying a classic motorcycle is buying into…
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The Small Japanese Bikes That Changed Britain Forever
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They were only small at first, but they helped many discover two-wheels… The majority of a certain age owe our biking life to Japanese motorcycles, as they’re the ones that started us off. Before that, motorcycling was dominated by Triumph, BSA, Norton, and Royal Enfield. These makes were what the older brothers and dads were…
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Unsung scramblers
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Two of the lesser-known – and less successful – machines used for off-road speed work, in action at a mid-1950s event. Words: SIMON ROBINSON Published in the April 26, 1956 edition of The Motor Cycle magazine, this picture shows Royal Enfield-mounted F. M. Bussell being followed by Tony White on his Velocette. The action is…
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Dave Degens (1939–2026)
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The legendary racer and constructor who enjoyed success across many years, particularly in production racing, and often on his own-made machinery. Words: SIMON ROBINSON Dave Degens, legendary Triton guru and ex-racer, has died at the age of 86. Pictured here at Castle Combe in 1965 in a typically cheeky pose, sticking his tongue out at…
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75+ amazing classic motorcycles up for auction – pre-bidding begins Saturday May 2nd
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Old American Bike Barn Collection – Kevin Backstrand Located – Ortonville, MN USA 1937 Harley Davidson 37 W & 1939 Indian Chief RS Both motorcycles previously owned by American Picker’s TV show Mike Wolfe 1940 Indian Four Model 440 One of the most sought after of the vintage Indian Motorcycles, featuring its new design of…
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